September 27, 2026

There are a LOT of great things going on in this note, so grab a cuppa tea, sit back and enjoy! **Also, I have a couple of surprises for you!

First, let's get to our reader questions. This time, we're tackling three questions from two different emails. I think they're practical and useful for you.

🌿 Reader question 1:

I love this question, probably because I'm a pretty medicinally focused herbal tea person. In other words, when I drink herbal tea, it's because I want the health benefits in some way, shape or form. So, for pleasure? That's not my first reason.

BUT.....

Herbal tea consumed for pleasure and pure delight has been a practice for thousands and thousands of years! In some countries, coffee is considered disgusting, and tea is the first choice.

So drink your herbal teas just because you love them! There's nothing wrong with that at all.

Also, the preparation methods for a medicinal infusion and an infusion for pleasure are totally different.

A medicinal-type infusion is for when you want fast action for an acute condition of some kind. For this method, you'll steep a great deal more of the blend for several hours. It will be STRONG. Then you'll dose it according to the person, the situation, the herbs you're choosing to use, and the strength of the tea.

Now, an herbal tea for pleasure? You could say that's more "lightweight." A couple of teaspoons in 6 to 12 ounces of just boiled water steeped for 15 to 30 minutes is the usual preparation method. And then you just enjoy! As much as you want, as long as the herbs you're using are safe for you.

I've created hundreds (actually probably in the thousands) of herbal tea blends over the years, both for pleasure and health, and many of them are on my website at Healing Harvest Homestead to enjoy, including my Rosy Chocolate Chai and many, many others.

I also have a complete Art and Science of Herbal Teas course that comes with a huge textbook (The Big Book of Herbal Tea) and my best herbal tea formulations, and that's available inside the Confident Herbalist Tribe within our School of Botanical Arts & Sciences. The Tribe is amazing.

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🌿 Reader Questions 2 & 3:

I just LOVE the art and also the science of making medicine with plants. It's amazing, and when you begin to understand the chemistry of the solvent (the solution of extraction--like water, oil, vinegar, alcohol, or glycerin for example) plus the phytochemistry of the plant and what constituents extract best in which solvent, you become a pretty powerful herbalist, AND you make fewer mistakes.

For example, knowing that carrier oils used for herbal infused oils are wonderful at extracting lipophilic (oil-loving) constituents, and which ones these are is extremely helpful. And knowing that alcohol does a great job extracting volatile oils, alkamides, and many other constituents, but NOT vitamins or minerals is also good to know.

Over seven years ago, I wrote an article about plant constituents and solvents (menstruums--which are the liquids being infused into) on my website at Healing Harvest Homestead, and it's a great resource that's perfect to more completely answer this question! You'll find out which chemical constituents are best extracted in the above solvents, so you can make better decisions with your medicine making.

​What is the BEST Liquid to Use for Most Potent Medicinal Value in Your Homemade Herbal Extracts? ​

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The second question Alis asked above refers to formulation. Usually when people very first begin to learn herbalism, it's wise to begin with herbal formulations created by very experienced (like ten years or more) herbalists. Many herbalists in this category have written real books (all by themselves without help from A.I.), so choose actual (legitimate) books written by a truly experienced herbalist.

Be sure the herbalists you vet for your education are more of an O.G. in the herbalism world. (That stands for "original gangster," and the meaning is that they've been around for a long time.)

With the rise of artificial intelligence, and also the fact that ALL herbalists in their learning phases go through a stage where they know just enough to be dangerous, it's vital to cherry pick your sources well. So, please use your good discernment and really do some research into the herbalist. It's ok, even to email them and ask about their actual experience and years "on the job," if you want. I love these notes!

And...It's perfectly ok to follow recipes for awhile, while you learn about the plants, the chemistry, how to make a solidly excellent formulation for a specific need and a specific person, etc.

I will tell you that my book I wrote last year that's being released this November was 100% written by me, as are any materials I've personally written---which is literally thousands and thousands of pages of text in our school---all available to our students.

But I digress......

What happens after people learn the basics of herbalism is.....

They want to start getting creative. And that's a great thing!

Formulating for the individual is really the only way as an herbalist you'll be able to create something for a unique human body. Also, formulating your own blends allows you to learn a LOT about working with the plants.

The thing is, when people don't know what they don't know (yet), I've seen some real disastrous formulations as well as formulations that will never, ever work.

This is where a great course, taught by a real human, written by a real human, with real texts and videos is what you need. A place or program where you can receive real mentorship from a live person.

But back to the question...

Formulation is a complete series of lessons in our Family Herbalist Certification program, and is way too big a topic for a newsletter.....

But YAY! The Healing Harvest Homestead website shines again! I've poured my life into writing useful articles and sharing teachings and formulations there----hundreds and hundreds of them!

Around seven years ago, I wrote an article about formulation! Here it is, and honestly, it's a solid article for giving you a starting place to dip your big toe into the power of herbal formulation.....

In this article, I share William La Sassier's pyramid method of herbal formulation, beloved by herbalists everywhere for nearly 50 years.

​How to Formulate an Effective Herbal Tea or Tincture​

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🌼 The Art of Becoming an Herbalist 🌼

I have a surprise for you!

As a reader here, I'm granting access to a series I'm teaching where you'll find out how to think about using medicinal herbs in your life, choosing herbs, preparing the right things, and responding to health needs!

🌼 It officially starts today, and there's nothing you need to do. Just print out the download for each video lesson (no email required), watch the short lesson, and then join in the live Q&A chats I'm hosting on Zoom! The links are right on the page.

Each day, I'll send out a super short (I promise) note about the offering for that day, and then you can join in if you're able. The series will be available to watch for a few days....

Today, I'm releasing the first training session:

The Trusted Family Herbalist Filter!

​So just go to the page, print out your download, and enjoy the lesson. The other video trainings will come out throughout the week.

Below each video, you'll also see a Zoom link! This is so you can join us live where we'll talk a little about the lesson, then I'll answer any herbal questions you have as time permits!

I'm so excited to get to talk with you!

It's going to be a fun week!

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🌼 Becoming Your Family's Expert Herbalist: A Webinar Not to Miss! 🌼

Also---I've got a wonderful webinar (live training) coming up soon, too! If you're wanting to get started on your herbal path, or maybe you already have, and you'd like additional resources, then this is a wonderful helper.

We'll be talking about the power of alternative health choices, five amazing plants you can start with that are right in your grocery store, how to learn herbalism a little more quickly, and it comes with TWO free guides and some remedies so you can get your home apothecary started right away.

Save your seat because they go fast, and once the room is filled, it's filled. I'm only doing two sessions this time around. Be sure to save your seat---as that's how you'll access the replay.

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A Relaxing Fall Diffuser Blend to LOVE

Oh, wow---I just love, LOVE my fall diffuser blends. In fact I love them so much, sometimes I'll be diffusing them even in Spring! Or Summer! LOL

But here we are, solidly in Fall, and it's time to get your cozy home glow on, and a fall blend makes your home smell SO yummy! Plus, the health benefits!

🍁 Pumpkin Spice Diffuser Blend

Drop these into your diffuser, turn on, and enjoy! It's fine to adjust a few more drops, especially if you have a larger diffuser. Follow manufacturer's instructions.....

1 drop Clove essential oil

2 drops Nutmeg essential oil

5 drops Cinnamon Bark or Leaf essential oil

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That's all for today, and if you're looking for my Encouragement and Inspiration faith writings, it's now over on Substack at Heidi Villegas or Keep Your Lamp Lit. You can search either and find me there sharing possibilities, hope, and peace.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ---Romans 15:13

Remember to go to the Herbalist Series page, and watch the first video, available now!

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

P.S. Do you have my Free Fall Diffuser Blends? Here's a 2 page printout of some of my favorites to enjoy! Please use the same email so you don't get duplicates. And....please forward on to a friend!